Hearing this voice, Zi Yan's gaze also turned over. When she saw her father bringing many elders of the Zi Family over, she was immediately frightened and involuntarily retreated a few steps, moving behind Tangyu.

"Zi Yuanzheng is here, damn it!" The Wu Family's Great Elder also felt a bit desperate. Originally thought it was a trivial matter, but didn't expect it to turn out like this.

Zi Yuanzheng and a dozen others quickly arrived in front of them. Seeing the scene before them, they frowned deeply, their gaze falling on the Wu Family's Great Elder who had lost two arms. None of them understood what was going on.

"Wu Shijin, why are you here? What happened to your arms?" Zi Yuanzheng asked, his gaze also looking at Zi Yan who was hiding behind Tangyu, with blood still dripping from the sword in her hand. This all indicated that the Wu Family's Great Elder's arms were severed by her sword.

But how could this be possible?

Others might not understand, but Zi Yuanzheng was clear about his daughter's capabilities. She was just at the Foundation Building Phase, how could she possibly handle Wu Shijin, a cultivator at the Mystic Law Realm Second Layer? Not to mention severing his arms.

Wu Shijin also understood that he could not escape today and was doomed to die, so he simply went all out, coldly smiling: "You should ask your good daughter, humph, Zi Yuanzheng, you're really insidious, hiding so deep. You sly old fox, we've all been tricked by you. You're ruthless, I'll admit defeat today."

"What do you mean?" Zi Yuanzheng was also completely in the dark, confused by the words and didn't understand what was happening at all.

And the rest of the Zi Family were even more baffled. If it weren't for Wu Shijin's two bloody arms still hanging there, they would have thought Wu Shijin was talking nonsense.

Wu Shijin saw Zi Yuanzheng still pretending to be ignorant, which made him even more furious: "Zi Yuanzheng, at this point, you're still pretending? I'll admit you've tricked me this time, bad luck for me, Wu Shijin. But don't be too happy yet, humph, even if I die, the Wu Family and Luo Family won't spare your Zi Family. This matter won't end like this. Trying to use your daughter to maintain such a balance, I tell you, it's impossible."

"Your Zi Family is doomed to be destroyed. So, you won't be happy for long. Haha, it's ridiculous that I, Wu Shijin, am going to die here today. How ironic. The saying 'an old horse stumbles' is indeed true. Come, give me a swift end."

Wu Shijin's words made the Zi Family even more confused. What on earth was going on?

Zi Yuanzheng was indeed a shrewd man. He also fell silent at this moment, with numerous thoughts flashing through his mind, which quickly pieced together. Immediately, his expression changed drastically, becoming dark and unpleasant as he looked at Wu Shijin: "I understand now. You, Wu Shijin, appeared here to kill my daughter, thereby preventing the marriage alliance with the Luo Family from happening, giving you a pretext to destroy my Zi Family."

"So, you had this scheme all along. No wonder when I proposed the marriage alliance with the Luo Family, they readily agreed, and your Wu Family didn't object. I found it strange at the time, just didn't think further. Didn't expect you had such a plan in mind. Humph, speaking of ruthlessness, I'm still no match for you all."

As soon as Zi Yuanzheng spoke, the crowd of the Zi Family was greatly shocked, immediately filled with immense anger. It turned out there was such a huge conspiracy behind this. They almost fell for it. If this truly happened, under the joint crusade of the Luo and Wu families, the Zi Family would surely be destroyed, no doubt about it. Didn't expect a marriage alliance thought to maintain balance concealing such a lethal threat.

The ridiculous thing was, they were kept in the dark until now.

Zi Yuanzheng was immensely enraged. He had been wise all his life, but in this matter, he almost buried his daughter and brought about a tragic end — how could he not be angry?

Wu Shijin furrowed his brows. He originally thought Zi Yuanzheng was aware of everything, hence set this trap to bring him down here. But now it seems Zi Yuanzheng was also unaware?

Zi Yuanzheng looked at Zi Yan and asked, "What exactly is going on?"

Zi Yan glanced at Zi Yuanzheng and then said, "Dad, he wanted to kill me, but I chopped off his two arms."

As soon as Zi Yan spoke, the Zi Family once again went into turmoil, filled with confusion and disbelief. Even though they had considered this possibility earlier, they simply couldn't believe it. Unless Wu Shijin stood there and let Zi Yan cut him, how could Zi Yan possibly chop off Wu Shijin's two arms? How was that possible?

Zi Yuanzheng also knew there must be something strange about this, but this wasn't the place to talk. His gaze deeply fell on Tangyu, discovering this young man had some peculiar aspects, making him feel he couldn't see through him. This made him wonder if this matter was related to the young man? Otherwise, with Zi Yan's abilities, such an event couldn't have possibly happened.

Zi Yuanzheng didn't think further. He realized this situation was very tricky. Since there was such a huge conspiracy behind, obviously, the Luo and Wu families had everything prepared, only needing an excuse to launch a fatal assault on the Zi Family to annihilate them at once. Then, the two families could control Luo River Town. The plan indeed was quite shrewd.

Thinking of this made Zi Yuanzheng's back feel chilly. Although Wu Shijin was no longer a threat, the alliance of Luo and Wu Families was still not something the Zi Family could contend with. Once this happens, it would indeed be a devastating blow to the Zi Family. But this situation seems already beyond redemption, making him ponder how to handle this matter and prevent such a tragedy from befalling the Zi Family.

"First, take Wu Shijin back before we discuss further." Zi Yuanzheng considered carefully for a moment and then spoke to the people behind him.

After speaking, he looked at Zi Yan, his voice becoming gentle, "Zi Yan, don't blame your father for being ruthless. I'm doing all of this for the Zi Family. But now I know that this is a conspiracy by the Luo and Wu families, a deadly trap. I won't force you anymore. Let's go back together with me. We'll discuss whatever is needed when we get back."

Zi Yan looked at Zi Yuanzheng, unsure of what to do for a moment, and for some reason, she still looked towards Tangyu for help.

Tangyu smirked slightly, chuckling softly, "Bringing him back now is like handing the Luo and Wu families an excuse, isn't it? The excuse is secondary; why keep such a person alive? Just kill him. The ambush set by the Luo and Wu families is definite; it won't be abandoned or changed because of one person. The situation is irreversibly set now. So, your Zi Family can only face it, with no options left. If you don't fight, the fate of your Zi Family will certainly be tragic."

Tangyu's words shocked Zi Yuanzheng, and upon careful thought, he found it to be true.

The situation had indeed become undeniably clear and unbreakable; this battle could not be avoided. The only option now is to fight with all might; there's no other choice. Whether it's life or death, there's no way around it.

Wu Shijin indeed must be killed, otherwise, who knows what trouble he might stir up. Moreover, once Wu Shijin is taken back, the Luo and Wu families could likely press charges with their military forces arriving straight away. This excuse naturally cannot be given to the Luo and Wu families.

With this thought, murderous intent surged within Zi Yuanzheng, "Hmph, Wu Shijin, you dared to kill my daughter, how could I forgive you today? Go to hell!"

Having said that, Zi Yuanzheng directly acted as an assassin, killing Wu Shijin on the spot. Wu Shijin, now a cripple, naturally had no ability to resist, making his death under Zi Yuanzheng's hands inevitable without any suspense.

After killing Wu Shijin, Zi Yuanzheng's gaze once more fell on Tangyu, reassessing him anew.

The members of the Zi Family also cast strange looks upon Tangyu, this uninvited guest.

"So, it was you who took my daughter away earlier, right? I appreciate your kindness, and on behalf of the Zi Family, I thank you. However, this is a family affair of ours, and there's no need to trouble you any further," Zi Yuanzheng stated, implying that Tangyu should leave.

Initially, Tangyu also had no intention to get involved in such matters.

However, the look of desperation in Zi Yan's eyes softened his heart.

Zi Yan urgently interjected, "Father, it was Tangyu who saved me earlier. Also—Wu Family's Great Elder's death was also done by Tangyu."

"Hmm, what?" Zi Yan's words astonished Zi Yuanzheng and others were also shocked. Their gaze towards Tangyu immediately changed.

Zi Yuanzheng finally understood. Everything was because of this young man before him. Otherwise, he too was puzzled about how his daughter Zi Yan could have severed Wu Shijin's arms. It was clear now with this explanation. However, he still found it hard to believe, how a young man seemingly in his twenties could manage to sever Wu Shijin's arms? How did he do it?

Looking at him, he didn't appear to be any great master. But Zi Yuanzheng truly felt he couldn't see through this young man, perhaps indeed indicating he was a master.

Moreover, he observed that this young master seemed to have some interest in Zi Yan, wanting to assist the Zi Family. With this thought, he naturally saw it as an opportunity.

"So that's how it is, Tangyu, as you are my daughter's savior, I have nothing to offer in return for such great kindness. If you don't mind, you could come to the Zi Family as a guest, and allow me to offer some simple tea and wine as a thank you," Zi Yuanzheng proposed, not mentioning that he sought to invite Tangyu to their family hoping for his help.

Of course, such careful thoughts couldn't escape Tangyu's notice, but he did not bother with it, otherwise, merely that would be enough to annoy him.

"Very well, I have just arrived in your Luo River Town, and I do intend to stay for a couple of days." Tangyu replied casually.

Zi Yuanzheng's heart was instantly delighted. He surely understood Tangyu's intent; since the other party agreed without anger, it meant he intended to help the Zi Family. To him, this was an extremely fortunate matter.

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